quizzical

adjective

quiz·​zi·​cal ˈkwi-zi-kəl How to pronounce quizzical (audio)
1
: comically quaint
a quizzical old man
2
: mildly teasing or mocking
a quizzical remark
3
: expressive of puzzlement, curiosity, or disbelief
raised a quizzical eyebrow
quizzicality noun
quizzically adverb

Examples of quizzical in a Sentence

He gave me a quizzical look. There was a quizzical expression on his face. She raised a quizzical eyebrow when she saw what he was wearing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Game 1 peaked with 17.8 million viewers at around the same time Yankees manager Aaron Boone made the quizzical decision to send in long-dormant starter Nestor Cortes to face Shohei Ohtani with one out in the bottom of the 10th. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2024 With his guitar held high and against his chest, his eyebrows cocked in that way that could be quizzical or menacing depending upon the setting, Matthews unleashed his quirky vocals. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024 There’s still a whisper of formalist Austrian chill in its quizzical, hands-off perspective and immaculately composed mise-en-scène: Albin Wildner’s lensing is crisp and bright and still, a restrained canvas for stark sight gags. Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2024 Two weeks ago, Zaidi, made two downright outlandish claims after a quizzical series of moves. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quizzical 

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quizzical was in 1797

Dictionary Entries Near quizzical

Cite this Entry

“Quizzical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quizzical. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

quizzical

adjective
quiz·​zi·​cal ˈkwiz-i-kəl How to pronounce quizzical (audio)
1
: teasing in a good-natured way
2
a
: showing doubt in a good-natured way
b
: showing puzzlement or curiosity
quizzically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on quizzical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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